The Tigers were a model franchise until integration. Backward thinking ownership doomed Detroit for about a decade before the franchise finally integrated. In the late fifties, new talent and ownership emerged returning the Tigers to prominence. During the sixties, the team won over 100 games twice, missing pennants in 1961 and 1967, and winning the World Series in 1968. The following are the top 10 moments in Tigers history from 1960-1969.
Ernie Harwell becomes “the Voice of the Tigers” (1960):
The Tigers have always had lovable announcers. Ty Tyson, Harry Heilmann, George Kell, Al Kaline, Van Patrick, and Rod Allen all delighted fans. However, Ernie Harwell trumped them all in the hearts of Tiger fans. His folksy style, treasure trove of stories, and Harwellisms such as “He stood there like the house by the side of the road” became summer itself for millions of Michiganders. In 1973, Paul Carey joined Harwell creating the greatest broadcast partnership in baseball history.
Colavito for Kuenn (1960):
In 1959, Cleveland slugger Rocky Colavito hit 42 home runs to pace the American League while Harvey Kuenn won the batting title for Detroit with a .353 average. Shortly before Opening Day 1960, the Tigers and Indians swapped the outfielders in a blockbuster trade. Clevelanders never forgave management for trading the popular Colavito, who went on to star in Detroit and help groom a young Willie Horton. Kuenn played only one season with the Indians.
John Fetzer buys the Tigers (1961):
Broadcast mogul John Fetzer recognized the possibilities for baseball and television. His vision foreshadowed MLB’s partnership with FOX and ESPN as well as MLB Network and the YES Network. In 1956, he purchased a portion of the Tigers. Five years later, Fetzer became full owner. In his capacity, he expanded baseball’s television presence and helped the Tigers franchise stabilize and improve. Fetzer sold the team in 1983 to Tom Monaghan who eventually siphoned profits toward his floundering pizza business resulting in the franchise’s collapse.
101 wins (1961):
Only the 1968 and 1984 squads won more games than the 1961 Tigers. While those teams won the World Series, 1961 holds the distinction of being the greatest team to not win a World Series. Norm Cash, Al Kaline, and Rocky Colavito paced the offense. Cash won the batting title and knocked in 132 runs. Colavito hit 45 homers and drove in 140. Kaline batted .324 in one of his finest seasons. On the mound, Frank Lary won 23, Jim Bunning 17, and Don Mossi 15. Terry Fox dominated out of the bullpen. The Tigers challenged the Yankees all season long until a September series in New York. They entered Yankee Stadium 1 ½ games out of first and got swept. Two of the games ended in the 9th. Despite winning 101 games, the Tigers finished 8 games out of first.
Cash wins batting title (1961):
Norm Cash could have been the 1961 AL MVP. He led the league in hits (193), average (.361), OBP (.487), intentional walks (19), and OPS (1.148). He added 119 runs, 22 doubles, 8 triples, 41 home runs, 132 RBI, 11 steals, 124 walks, 354 total bases, and a .662 slugging. Cash never experienced that kind of success again. He finished his career with a .271 average, 377 homers, and 1103 RBI. In 1961, he finished fourth in the MVP balloting behind Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle, and Jim Gentile.
California: 8 Detroit: 5 (October 1, 1967):
Through 152 games, Detroit stood in first place with 11 games remaining. (On June 21, they tied Minnesota 5-5). They went 6-5 down the stretch and lost the pennant by a single game. Throughout the summer, five teams competed for first. By the last week, four teams remained alive mathematically. On the season’s final day, Detroit needed a victory to force a playoff. Joe Sparma defeated California 6-4 in the first game of a doubleheader, but the Tigers lost the second game 8-5. Detroit finished in second place, one game behind the Impossible Dream Red Sox. At that moment, the Tigers swore 1968 would be theirs.
Northrup’s Grand Slams (1968):
In 1968, Jim Northrup was baseball’s most dangerous hitter with the bases loaded. He slugged five grand slams that season. He hit his first in May. On June 24, he hit grand slams in consecutive innings. Five days later, Northrup hit his fourth. During that same week, the outfielder had another opportunity, but admits he got too excited. The Fox’s fifth slam came in Game 6 of the World Series and sealed the Cardinals doom helping force Game 7.
McLain wins 30 (September 14, 1968):
Dizzy Dean attended Denny McLain’s 5-4 victory over the A’s at Tiger Stadium. It was McLain’s 30th victory of 1968 making him the first pitcher since Dean in 1934 to win 30 games in a season. McLain finished 1968 with a 31-6 record, 1.96 ERA, 28 complete games, six shutouts, and 336 innings pitched. He added another victory in the World Series.
Wert wins pennant (September 17, 1968):
Don Wert was a decent hitter for his era until a beaning shattered his helmet. After the beaning, he never regained his stroke and finished with a .200 average in 1968. Despite this, he still made his only All Star Game that season. On September 17, Wert slapped a hit to right scoring Al Kaline to clinch the pennant for Detroit with a 9th inning victory at Tiger Stadium.
The Comeback (1968):
The Tigers spent 1968 coming from behind. Jim Kaat observed that teams with slim leads felt as though they were behind Detroit in late innings. The World Series served as a microcosm of the 1968 season. St. Louis raced to a 3-1 series lead and led Detroit 3-0 in Game 5. After cutting the deficit to 3-2, the Cards threatened to end the series in the fifth inning. Julian Javier singled to left with Lou Brock at second. The speedy Brock tried scoring standing up, but ran into Bill Freehan who tagged the Hall of Famer for the out. Left fielder Willie Horton’s throw to Freehan saved the Tigers season. Detroit rallied to win Game 5 on a Kaline single and won Game 6 behind McLain. Mickey Lolich and Bob Gibson squared off in Game 7 which remained scoreless until the seventh. Detroit threatened when Jim Northrup hit a triple over Curt Flood’s head in center for the lead and the title. The come-from-behind Tigers had done it again. It was Detroit’s first World Championship since 1945.
Tiger Award Winners: 1960-69:
MVP: Denny McLain (1968)
Cy Young: Denny McLain (1968-69)
World Series MVP: Mickey Lolich (1968)
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